Fuel manifold



Nov. 17, 1959 R. J. POWELL ETAL 2,913,231

' FUEL MANIFOLD Filed Jan. 16, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1N VEN TORL? ROBERT JLPOWELL JAMES E. CHAMPION BY I ATTORNEYS Nov. 17, 1959 Filed Jan. 16, 1957 FIG.3.

R. J. POWELL EI' FUEL MANIFOLD 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS ROBERT gmowsu BY JAMES E. CHAMPION United States Patent() 'FUEL MANIFOLD Robert J. Powell and James E. Champion, Muskegon, Mich., assignors to Continental Motors Corporation, Muskegon, Mich., a corporation of Virg'nia Application January 16, 1951, Serial No. 634,539

11 Claims. Cl. 261-23) This invention relates to fuel injection systems for internal combustion engines and more particularly to continuous fiow fuel injection systems preferably adapted for utilization in multi-cylinder engines for aircraft.

In the development of internal combustion engines employing continuous flow fuel injection, it is'important to emphasize efiicient starting and stopping characteristics. A Vital factor in this respect is efiective'control of fuel in the fuel lines leading from the metering valve to. the fuel injector nozzles. In starting the engine, it is necessary, to achieve prompt engine response, to provide immediate flow of fuel under pressure to the cylinders. This means that there should be no previous drainage of fuel from the fuel lines. Also, to provide for immediate fuel cutoff when stopping the engine, the system must insure that one or more cylinders .willriot be subject to any surge of injected fuel. Heretofore experience has shown that fuel cutoff at the metering valve is not enough, since fuel may be drawn fromone cylinder fuel line back through another line to another cylinder, resulting in rough andv ragged engine stopping operation. Moreover, in the case of aircraft engines particularly, when an engine is inoperative in'a .tilted position, fuel may drain from the higher lines into the lower, and when the engine is started, fuel is not immediately evenly supplied to every cylinder.

An object of the present invention is to improve engine starting and stopping characteristics by providing a fuel manifold valve operable to prevent fuel line drainage.

Another object of the present invention is to retain fuel in the cylinder fuel lines of a multi-cylinder engine embodying continuous flow fuel injection by providing a fuel manifold valve operable to disconnect ,or shutoff all fuel lines from each other.

A further object of the invention is toimprove engine operation by providing a controllable fuel manifold valve of simplified construction.

For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention in which like characters refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which I Fig. l is a diagrammatic view of a preferred continuous flow fuel injection system embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of one preferred construction of fuel manifold valve taken substantially on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of another preferred construction of fuel manifold valve.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another preferred construction of fuel manifold valve.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line 55 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2, and v 7 Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating the valve its closed position.

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A preferred fuel injection system incorporating the present invention comprises a fuel tank 10, a fuel cleaner 11, a fuel pump 12, afuel metering valve 13 operatively connected by linkage 14 to a throttle valve 15 disposed in the air inlet of an air intake manifold structure 16 and operable to supply metered fuel under pressure through a conduit 17 to a fuel manifold valve 18. A

plurality of fuel delivery lines or conduits 19 connect the valve 18 with fuel injector nozzles 20 preferably mounted on the air intake manifold structure 16 at the engine cylinder air intakes.

A preferred construction of fuel metering valve is illustrated in Figs. 2, 5, 6, and 7 as comprising a valve housing 25 having a stepped, substantially cylindrical distributing-chamber 26 including a larger diameter portion 26a and a smaller diameter portion 26b, a fuel inlet passage 27 open into the smaller diameter chamber portion 26b and adapted for connection with the conduit 17 leading from the metering valve 13, and a plurality of fuel delivery outlet passages 28 separately and individually open into the larger diameter chamber portion 26a and respectively adapted for connection with the fuel delivery conduits 19.

The outlet passages 28 are preferably substantially disposed in a common plane normal to the axis of the distributing chamber 26.

A cover platev 29 is preferably secured to the top of the housing 25 by any means such as screws 30, and in the modification as shown in Figs. 2, 5, 6 and 7 is provided with a shallow spring recess 31 and closes the upper end of the chamber 26. A stepped, substantially cylindrical piston-like valve member 32 is slidably disposed in the chamber 26 and comprises a larger diameter portion 32a adapted to closely fit on the diameter in the larger chamber portion 26a, and a smaller diameter portion 32b adapted to closely fit on the diarneterrin the smaller chamber portion 26b.

A recess or passage 33 in the smaller valve portion 32b and having a fuel screen element 34 at its open end is continuously open to the fuel inlet passage 27. A plurality of radially disposed ports 35 extend through the side of the valve portion 32b so that when the valve is in the open position of Fig. 1, fuel may flow into the larger chamber portion 26a, but when the valve is in the closed position of Fig. 7, fuel flow is cut off by the close fit in the smaller chamber porton 26b.

A spring recess 40 is provided in the larger valve portion 32a, and is open to the larger chamber portion 26a by means of ports 41 so that the movement of the valve 32 wont be restricted by suction or pressure in the recess 40. A spring 42 is disposed in the recess 40 and bears against the bottom of recess 31 of the cover 29, tending to hold the valve 32 in the closed position of Fig. 7, in which position, the passages 28 are closed off from the chamber portion 26a by the valve portion 32a. In this position fuel flow from the inlet is cut on as previously described, and fuel fiow or drainage among the separate fuel conduits 19 is also prevented. The ports 35 and the passages 28 are preferably substantially simultaneously opened and closed by the valve action.

Fuel pressure from the inlet 27 is suflicient to move the valve 32 upwards against the resistance of the spring 42, opening the ports 35 and the passages 41. However, in Figs. 3 and 4, two other preferred actuating means are illustrated. 1 In both of these other cases, all elements of the fuel manifold valve 18 are the same as that hereinbefore described, with the exception of the valve member. e I

In both Figs. 3 and 4, a valve member 45 is provided with an extension 46 which extends through a hole 47 'in' a cover plate 48, being connected as shown in Fig. 3 to 1 a solenoid 49 9.1 asrshown in Fig. 4 to an actuating lever 50. The solenoid 49 may be operated through any suitable circuit to selectively open and close the valve 45 in the same manner as pressure actuation does in the valve of Figs. land 7. "l'hesmanuallyfoperated lever 50 .is preferably pivota'lly secured to the extension 46 as -at '51 and has :two cam surfaces .52 and 53 respectively :located at distances Y and X from the pivot 51. t The cam surfaces .52 or 53 may be selectively disposed by moving ;the lever 50 to bear on the upper surface of the :cover :plate 48, providing for the necessary axial movement of :the valve member 45 to open and close same. A spring 54is preferably provided as shown, bearing on the valve member '45 and :theinside of the cover plate 48 to hold the lever 50 in either position.

Although we ;have described but a few preferred embodiments of this invention, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art :to which the invention pertains that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing vfrom the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. Ina continuous flow fuel injection system for ,a multi-cylinder-internal combustion engine having an air induction system including branches communicating with the cylinders, said fuel injection system comprising a fuel distributing valve instrumentality having a fuel inlet, means supplying metered fuel to said inlet, and fuel delivery outlets openly connected with said inlet and respectively communicating with said induction branches, said distributing valve instrumentality comprising a valve housing having a distributing chamber openly connected with said inlet and with said delivery outlets, and a valve means in said chamber and selectively operable .to disconnectsaid delivery-outlets and said inlet from said chamber, and means actuating said valve means.

2. In a continuous flow fuel injection system for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine having-an air induction system including branches communicating with the cylinders, said fuel injection system comprising a fuel distributing valve instrumentalityhaving a fuel inlet, means supplyingmetered fuel to said inlet, and fuel delivery-outlets openly connected with said inlet and respectively communicating with said induction branches, said distributing valve instrumentality comprising a valve housing having a distributing chamber openly connected with said inlet and with said delivery outlets, and a valve'means in said chamber and selectively operable to substantially simultaneously disconnect said delivery outlets and said inlet fromtsaidchamber, and means actuating said valve means.

3. In a continuous flow fuel injection system for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine having an air induction system including branches communicating with the cylinders, said fuel injection system comprising a fuel distributing valve instrumentality having a fuelinlet, means supplying metered fuel to said inlet, and a plurality of fuel delivery outlets openly connected with said inlet and respectively communicating with said induction branches, said distributing valve instrumentality comprising a valve housing having a distributing cham ber openly connected with said inlet and with each of said delivery outlets, and a valvemeans in said chamber and selectively operable to substantially individually simultaneously disconnect each of said delivery outlets and said inlet from said chamber, and means actuating said valve means.

4. In a continuous flow fuel injection system for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine having an air induction system including branches communicating with the cylinders, said fuel injection system comprising a fuel distributing valve instrumentality having a 'fuel inlet, means supplyingmetered fuel'to'said inlet and a plurality of fuel delivery outlets openlyconnected with said inlet and respectively communicatingwith said=induction branches, said distributing -valveinstrumentality comprising ,a valvehousing having a distributing chamber, separate ports openly connecting each of said outlets and said inlet with said chamber, and a valve means in said chamber and selectively operable to substantially individually simultaneously close and open all of said ports, and means actuating said valve means.

5. In a continuous flow fuel injection system for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine having an air induction system including branches communicating with the cylinders, said fuel injection system comprising a fuel distributing valve instrumentality having a fuel inlet, means supplying metered fuel to said inlet and a plurality of fuel delivery outlets openly connected with said inlet and respectively communicating with said induction branches, said distributing valve instrumentality comprising a valve housing having a substantially cylindrical distributing chamber, an inlet port opening into said :chamber andconnected with said fuel inlet, a plurality of annularly spaced outlet ports radially opening into said chamber and respectively individually connected with said fuel delivery outlets, and a substantially cylindrical valve member closely fitted on the diameter in said chamberland selectively longitudinally slidable therein to closetand open-said inlet port and said outlet ports, and means actuating said valve member.

16. In 'a continuous flow fuel injection system for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine having an an induction system including branches communicating with the cylinders, said fuel injection system comprising a fuel -.distributing valve instrumentality having a fuel inlet, means supplying metered fuel to said inlet and a plurality of fuel delivery outlets openly connected with said inlet and respectively communicating with said induction branches, said distributing valve instrumentality comprising a valve housing having a substantially cylindrical distributing chamber, an inlet port opening into said :chamber and connected with said fuel inlet, a plurality of annularly spaced outlet ports radially opening into said chamber and respectively connected with said fuel delivery outlets, and a substantially cylindrical valve member closely fitted on the diameter in said chamber and selectively longitudinally slidable therein to close and open said inlet portand said outlet ports, and means actuating said valve member, said outlet ports being disposed in a common plane normal to the axis of said distributing chamber, said valve member being constructedtand arranged to simultaneously open and substantially simultaneously close said inlet port and said outlet ports.

7.- In :a continuous flow fuel injection system for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine having an air induction system including branches communicating with thecylnders said fuel injection system comprising a fuel distributing valve instrumentality having a fuel inlet, means supplying metered fuel to said inlet, and 'fuel delivery outlets openly connected with said inlet and respectively'communicatingwith said induction branches, said distributingvalve-instrumentality comprising a-valve housing having a stepped substantiallycylindrical dis tributing chamber including a larger diameter portion anda smaller diameter portion, an inlet port opening into said smaller diameter portion and connected with saidfuel inlet, annularly spaced outlet ports radially opening into said larger diameter portion and respectively connected with said fuel delivery outlets, and, a stepped substantially cylindrical valve member having a larger diameter portion and 'a smaller. diameter portion respectively'closely fitted on the diameter with said chamber larger and smaller diameterportions, said 'valve member being selectively longitudinally slidable therein, a passage in said valve member continuously openly connected'wit-h-'said-inlet port viathe smaller diameter portion of said chamber, at least one port in said smaller diameter portion communicating with saidpassage and constructed and arranged tobe open to the chamber larger diameter portion when said valve member is in one position and to be closed by the chamber smaller diameter portion when said valve member is in a second position whereby to selectively permit fuel flow into said chamber larger diameter portion, and means se- 5 lectively actuating said valve member from the first to the second position.

8. In a continuous flow fuel injection system for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine having an air induction system including branches communicating with the cylinders, said fuel injection system comprising a fuel distributing valve instrumentality having a fuel inlet, means supplying metered fuel to said inlet, and fuel delivery outlets openly connected with said inlet and respectively communicating with said induction branches, said distributing valve instrumentality comprising a valve housing having a stepped substantially cylindrical distributing chamber including a larger diameter portion and a smaller diameter portion, an inlet port opening into said smaller diameter portion and connected with said fuel inlet, annularly spaced outlet ports radially opening into said larger diameter portion and respectively connected with said fuel delivery outlets, and a stepped substantially cylindrical valve member having a larger diameter portion and a smaller diameter portion respectively closely fitted on the diameter with said chamber larger and smaller diameter portions, said valve member being selectively longitudinally slidable therein, a passage in said valve member continuously openly connected with said inlet port via the smaller diameter portion of said chamber, at least one port in said diameter portion communicating with the passage and constructed and arranged to be open to the chamber larger diameter portion when said valve member is one position and to be closed by the chamber smaller diameter portion when said valve member is in a second position whereby to selectively permit fuel flow into said chamber larger diameter portion, and means selectively actuating said valve member from the first to the second position, said valve member larger diameter portion constructed and arranged to selectively open and close said outlet ports substantially respectively simultaneously with the aforesaid opening and closing of said valve member port.

9. In a continuous flow fuel injection system for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine having an air induction system including branches communicating with the cylinders, said fuel injection system comprising a fuel distributing valve instrumentality having a fuel inlet, means supplying a metered fuel to said inlet, and fuel 50 delivery outlets openly connected with said inlet and respectively communicating with said induction branches said distributing valve instrumentality comprising a valve housing having a stepped substantially cylindrical distributing chamber including a larger diameter portion 55 and a smaller diameter portion, an inlet port opening into said smaller diameter portion and connected with 6 said fuel inlet, annularly spaced outlet ports radially opening into said larger diameter portion and respectively connected with said fuel delivery outlets, and a stepped substantially cylindrical valve member having a larger diameter portion and a smaller diameter portion respectively closely fitted on the diameter with said chamber larger and smaller diameter portions, said valve member being selectively longitudinally slidable therein, a passage in said valve member continuously openly connected with said inlet port via the smaller diameter portion of said chamber, at least one port in said diameter portion communicating with the passage and constructed and arranged to be open to the chamber larger diameter portion when said valve member is in one position and to be closed by the chamber smaller diameter portion when said valve member is in a second position whereby to selectively permit fuel flow into said chamber larger diameter portion, and means selectively actuating said valve member from the first to the second position, said valve member larger diameter portion constructed and arranged to selectively open and close said outlet ports substantially respectively simultaneously with the aforesaid opening and closing of said valve member port, said outlet ports being disposed in a common plane normal to the axis of said distributing chamber.

10. In a continuous flow fuel injection system for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine having an air induction system including branches communicating with the cylinders, said fuel injection system comprising a fuel distributing valve instrumentality having a fuel inlet, means supplying metered fuel to said inlet, and fuel delivery outlets openly connected with said inlet and respectively communicating with said induction branches, said distributing valve instrumentality comprising valve means selectively operable to disconnect said delivery outlets from said inlet, and means actuating said valve means and comprising an electrically operated solenoid actuating means connected with said valve.

11. In a continuous flow fuel injection system for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine having an air induction system including branches communicating with the cylinders, said fuel injection system comprising a fuel distributing valve instrumentality having a fuel inlet, means supplying metered fuel to said inlet, and fuel delivery outlets openly connected with said inlet and respectively communicating with said induction branches, said distributing valve instrumentality comprising valve means selectively operable to disconnect said delivery outlets from said inlet, and means actuating said valve means and comprising a manually actuated cam actuator connected with said valve.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

